Abstract
In a recent publication in Biological Reviews, Manger (2006) made the controversial claim that the large brains of cetaceans evolved to generate heat during oceanic cooling in the Oligocene epoch and not, as is the currently accepted view, as a basis for an increase in cognitive or information-processing capabilities in response to ecological or social pressures. Manger further argued that dolphins and other cetaceans are considerably less intelligent than generally thought. In this review we challenge Manger's arguments and provide abundant evidence that modern cetacean brains are large in order to support complex cognitive abilities driven by social and ecological forces.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 417-440 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Biological Reviews |
Volume | 83 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 9 Sept 2008 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2008 |
Keywords
- brain
- brain size
- marine mammals
- thermogenesis
- intelligence
- cognition
- encephalisation
- dolphin
- cetacean
- temperature
- bottle-nosed dolphins
- resident killer whales
- reflect phylogenetic-relationships
- Tursiops-Truncatus perceive
- magnetic-resonance images
- language-trained dolphin
- calcium-binding protein
- cultural transmission
- signature whistles
- visual-cortex